Local views mixed on Boy Scouts' gay ban plan

As national Boy Scouts of America leaders consider a move to lift the organization’s ban on gay members and leaders, local residents are divided into camps on opposite sides of the issue.

Matthew Tessnear / mtessnear@shelbystar.com

As national Boy Scouts of America leaders consider a move to lift the organization’s ban on gay members and leaders, local residents are divided into camps on opposite sides of the issue.

The Boy Scouts executive council, in the midst of a three-day meeting, is expected to make a decision on the ban by today. Such a change would allow individual troop and pack sponsors to make their own admission decisions.

“I believe they should change it,” reader Justin Ledbetter wrote on The Star’s Facebook page. “They shouldn’t be allowed to discriminate.”

Readers who weighed in on The Star’s Facebook page were split, but more supported the ban than opposed it.

Jerry D. Hoyle, a longtime Cub Scout leader and former principal from Kings Mountain, said he helped organize Pack 93 at East Elementary in an effort to provide mentors and a sense of belonging to large numbers of boys.

Hoyle sides with the Scouts’ current ban.

“In this community, I believe it would hurt Scouting if we were to admit homosexuals into the program,” Hoyle said.

‘A lively debate’

Since 2000, the number of young people involved in Scouting has declined by nearly 19 percent, according to Boy Scouts of America numbers from 2011. The number of boys in the youngest membership division, the Cub Scouts, declined by more than 25 percent.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Scouts’ ban on gays as constitutional in 2000, provoking a multitude of protest campaigns over the years.

Some corporate donors have said they will suspend gifts until the policy is changed, while on a national level the leaders of some faith-based organizations have said they are troubled by the proposal to lift the ban.

Boy Scouts, Scouting leaders and activists delivered a petition with 1.4 million signatures to the Boy Scouts of America’s Texas headquarters this week, urging the organization to end its ban.

Residents in the Boy Scouts’ 11-county Piedmont Council, which includes Cleveland County, have voiced varying opinions on the issue, but most want to leave the ban in place, said Connie Bowes, Scouts executive for the division. The Piedmont Council is expected to take an official stance on the issue after national Scouts leaders decide on the ban.

“I’d say this has been a lively debate,” he said. “…Many that I’ve heard from are in favor of maintaining the current policy.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331, mtessnear@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MatthewTessnear.

What leaders are saying:

“Many I’ve heard from are in favor of maintaining the current policy.”

-- Connie Bowes, scouts executive at Boy Scouts of America Piedmont Council, which includes Cleveland County

“The view of the Battleground District (Cleveland County) is that of the Piedmont Council. Mr. Bowes is the main spokesperson of Scouting for the Piedmont Council, and we stand by his statements.”

-- Jeremey Falkenau, Battleground District executive

“Sexual orientation is a private matter for girls and their families to address. Girl Scouts has established standards that do not permit the advocacy or promotion of a personal lifestyle or sexual orientation. Adults working with girls must adhere to these standards.”

-- Lisa Crawford, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Council, which includes Cleveland County

“My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life. The Scouts are a great institution that are promoting young people and exposing them to opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives. And I think nobody should be barred from that.”

-- President Barack Obama

Readers respond

The Star asked its Facebook fans if the Boy Scouts of America should change its ban on gays joining the organization. Here’s a sampling of their responses. To join the conversation, find The Shelby Star on Facebook and click “like.”

“I didn't realize that ‘Are you gay?’ was a question on the Boy Scout sign up sheet...why is it anyone’s business?

Tiffani Kiser

“No, no, no.”

Dale Suggs

“The Bible may be against it, but Jesus loves everyone, and so should we. I just want to follow what God wants me to do, and that's to love everyone.”

Casey Stafford

“Why would a person want to join an organization where they know they are not wanted? Start your own organization. I promise not to ask you to change your policies or ask to join.”

Leesa Canipe Lusk

“Change the policy. Have people of integrity who will help the boys develop. Leave the judging to God.”

Rhonda Edgecombe James

“No!”

Karen Fitch Theis

Want to weigh in?

* To express your opinion to the Boy Scouts of America regarding the ban on gays, email feedback@Scouting.org

* Go to the website at www.scouting.org/ContactUs

* Call 972-580-2000

Some key dates for Boy Scouts of America

1910 – Boy Scouts of America incorporated

1911 – First Boy Scout handbook published

1912 – First Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred

1916 – Federal charter granted by Congress

1930 – First Cub Scout program began

1953 – First Pinewood Derby held

1954 – Webelos program added to Cub Scouts

1982 – Tiger Cubs program added to Cub Scouts

2000 – 100 million Scout members registered

2000 – US Supreme Court upholds ban on gays in Boy Scouts

Source: Boy Scouts of America

Scouts by the numbers

1,067 - the number of youth Scouts served in 2012 in Cleveland County

42 - the number of units (packs, troops, crews and posts) in which those youth were served in the county

26 - the number of Boy Scouts who earned the Eagle rank in 2012 in the county

Scout totals

62 million – Total Cub Scouts

52 million – Total Boy Scouts/ Venturers

33 million – Total adult volunteers

2 million – Eagle Scout awards

117 million – merit badges awarded

181 – Scouts who have become astronauts

* More than 100,000 Scouting units are owned and operated by chartered organizations

69 percent – units chartered to faith-based organizations

23 percent – units chartered to civic organizations

8 percent – units chartered to educational organizations

Note: Numbers approximate

Source: Boy Scouts of America

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